Drillings and combination guns were made for West Virginia! Any give day, (mabe a little shuffeling) you might get the opportunity for deer,bear,turkey,hog,rabbit,grouse,coyote,fox, and squirrels. I am as thrilled with a good shot on a squirrel as a deer. Guess I'm just a trash hunter as well as a trashdog period. Either 8x57r or 7x57r and I love 16 gauge. I agree that it's lighter and better to carry without a scope especially if you have quick detachable mounts.